Who hasn’t glanced in the mirror and noticed a bulging tummy? Even if you maintain a healthy weight, eat right, and exercise regularly, your tummy might not be as flat and firm as you would like. A tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty) can give you that smooth and flattering look that will help you feel more confident and comfortable in your own body.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
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Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen. It may also involve the repair and tightening of the abdominal wall muscles (rectus diastasis). This surgery is not a weight loss procedure and is not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise. It is designed to address skin laxity and muscle separation that does not respond to lifestyle changes.
Full or traditional abdominoplasty is for patients who require abdominal muscle repair, fat deposit and excess skin removal. This is the more commonly performed of the two procedures.
Dr. Edouard Coeugniet will help you choose the procedure that best fits your body and goals.
Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck should be in good overall health and should have a realistic understanding of what is possible through surgery. During your initial consultation. Dr. Edouard Coeugniet will evaluate your current health, go over your pertinent medical history, and ask what your reasons and goals are for the procedure. It is best to wait until you have reached your ideal weight and are prepared to maintain that weight before undergoing a tummy tuck. Gaining weight after your abdominoplasty can reverse the results of your procedure, meaning additional surgeries may be required.
The abdominoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you can return home on the day of surgery. The procedure takes about two hours to complete. Different techniques may be used depending on the needs of the patient, the presence of scars, and the contour of the abdominal wall.
After the surgery, Dr. Edouard Coeugniet and his staff will monitor you in the recovery room to make sure that the sedation wears off as expected. You will need to have family or a friend drive you home for extra safety.
Most patients plan for a recovery period of two to three weeks before returning to work, depending on the physical demands of their occupation. During this time, Dr. Edouard Coeugniet will ask that you avoid strenuous activities that will stress your abdominal muscles.
You will receive narcotic pain medication to keep you comfortable after your procedure, and your discomfort should feel similar to muscle pain that comes after a hard abdominal workout. You should not expect a large amount of bruising, although patients who receive liposuction will see more bruising than those who have only had the incision and excess trimming performed.
You will have a post-operative visit with Dr. Edouard Coeugniet approximately one week after surgery. We will see you again at different points after that. It is important to keep all your appointments so that we can monitor your recovery and address any concerns or complications that may arise.
Liposuction is a powerful fat-removal method that can address many areas of the body, such as the abdomen, waist, thighs, and under the chin. However, liposuction alone will not remove excess skin or tighten the underlying muscles. A tummy tuck is often the ideal choice if you have loose or sagging skin in the midsection or a weakened abdominal wall that needs repair.
Understanding your ideal weight before a consultation is always a good idea. We recommend that patients have a BMI that is below 35 and ideally under 30. Patients with a significantly higher BMI might have fat below the abdominal muscle, which a tummy tuck won’t be able to remove.
A tummy tuck is ideal for individuals looking to remove excess skin in their abdomen. Patients should be at a healthy and steady weight before this surgery, as both weight gain and massive weight loss can impact your results.
A tummy tuck is not weight loss surgery; you should reach your goal weight and maintain it for several months before the procedure. Getting within 10 to 15 pounds of the desired weight is fine. You should avoid weight fluctuations after undergoing a tummy tuck because that can stretch the abdominal tissues and possibly require revision surgery.
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) after massive weight loss removes excess, hanging skin and tightens abdominal muscles to improve body contour. Ideal candidates have maintained a stable weight for 6–12 months, usually after losing 50+ pounds, and are in good overall health. It is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss solution, often resulting in a firmer, flatter abdomen.
While women can get pregnant following this procedure, their results will be altered. We recommend that women wait to undergo a tummy tuck procedure until they have finished childbearing.
Many patients add additional body contouring procedures to their tummy tuck, with the primary one being liposuction. While a tummy tuck can reduce some excess fat, a liposuction can provide more dramatic results.
Dr. Edouard Coeugniet carefully places incisions where they can be concealed by clothing or swimwear. In rare cases, if the skin is too tight, a small vertical scar may remain near the belly button, leading to an inverted "T" scar. Dr. Edouard Coeugniet will discuss incision placement in detail during your consultation so you can have realistic expectations about healing and scar appearance.
High-definition tummy tuck surgery combines High-Def Liposuction with a traditional tummy tuck. By removing excess fat around the abdomen and sculpting the midsection, this advanced technique delivers a more defined, athletic contour. Dr. Edouard Coeugniet's specialized approach can create a leaner, tighter, and more chiseled appearance for patients seeking a dramatic transformation.
As with most surgeries, some pain and discomfort after a tummy tuck is normal. You will also experience some bruising and swelling, which will go away with time. Fortunately, pain medications, compression garments, ice, and lots of rest will help diminish the pain and discomfort over time.
Tummy tuck results can be permanent with proper care. The procedure under general anesthesia provides highly personalized treatment to improve body contour and achieve a toned abdomen. Through thorough consultation process, surgeons ensure desired aesthetic results while prioritizing patient safety for long-lasting transformation.
Tummy tuck surgery is recommended only for individuals who do not plan on becoming pregnant. This is because the muscles beneath the abdominal skin are tightened, and the skin itself is tightened as well. While it is not impossible to become pregnant after a tummy tuck, keep in mind that the tummy tuck results will likely be undone by pregnancy as the skin and muscles will need to re-stretch.
The cost of your tummy tuck will depend on the extent of the procedure needed. Dr. Edouard Coeugniet may recommend a mini tummy tuck or an extended tummy tuck, which involves a longer incision. Dr. Edouard Coeugniet discusses all of your options during the consultation.
Getting a procedure is a tremendous personal investment. However, it is not a decision that should be made lightly or in a hurry. Rushing might influence you to choose the wrong shape or go too big, which may impair you from running, jumping, or performing certain physical activities with ease. Go too small, and you may feel underwhelmed with your new look.
“ If you want to take the next step and learn more about your options, contact us online or call us. Dr. Edouard Coeugniet will help you determine whether treatment is right for you and, if so, which solution best suits your needs. ”
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